Today, I received the shocking news that Royal Mail intend to close the Strathearn Road Delivery Office on 20 October.
In January 2024 I heard of plans to close the office from local posties, residents and the community council. After three months of writing letters and 1700 signatures on my petition (and even showing up at Royal Mail HQ in London to deliver it!), Royal Mail wrote to me to confirm that the delivery office would remain open and that there were “no current plans to close it.”
I’m very disappointed that they stated they didn’t have plans when the rumour mill was that they did and this is now coming to pass as was feared. I’m hugely concerned about what this means for residents in south Edinburgh.
I know that many residents regularly use the collection service as they are at work during the day when letters and parcels are delivered.
If this goes ahead, residents may have to travel as far as Murrayfield (to the Edinburgh City Delivery Office on Russell Road) to collect undelivered items. This will be an enormous inconvenience for residents, and I’m also very concerned about what it means for older people and those with mobility issues, who may not be able to get around as easily.
And while Royal Mail have said they do not intend to make any redundancies, it will be hugely impactful for our hardworking and popular local posties. If you see your local postie, please show them your support.
I have written to Royal Mail to express my opposition in the strongest terms to this decision and to urge them to reconsider.
If you or someone you know has not yet signed the petition below, please do consider doing so. The more people we get to sign it, the more powerful a message we can send about the community’s opposition.